Willow Haley

I approach every wedding with one major underlying goal: I want to take the kind of pictures that would make a stranger think "hey - I feel like I know that person!" You love your friends, your family, and your future spouse. My job is to take photos that reveal them as they actually are.

So yes - I'm going to capture the heartwarming moment when the mother of the bride adjusts her daughter's veil...I'm also going to get the sugar-crazed flower girl who steals the Maid of Honor's fancy bra and uses it as a hat all morning. I'll be there for the ceremonial cutting of the cake...I'll still be watching when the ring bearer starts gnawing the heads off of the cake topper. I'll photograph the touching grace of the parent/child dance, but I'm also going to be snapping away when your crazy uncle has a few too many cocktails and tries to do the Gagnam Style dance to When a Man Loves a Woman.

In the end, it all boils down to this: I'm not there to write your story. I'm there to help you tell it.

Where are you located? Do you charge a travel fee for weddings not in your location?

I live and work in New Orleans, LA. Though I adore the Crescent City, I'm always happy to travel. If the location is more than an hour and a half away, I ask that you reserve me a hotel room in the same location as the wedding party. If it's a drive of more than two and a half hours, I charge $75 per hour driven. If air travel is required, I simply require a plane ticket and lodging. Otherwise, no fees are involved.

How long have you been in business? How many weddings have you photographed as the main photographer?

I shot my first wedding nine years ago, and made my official transition from photojournalism to full time wedding photographer two years ago (though I still conveniently "revert" back to being a photojournalist when there's a great concert in town!). Thus far, I have shot forty two weddings as the primary shooter, and have a perfect record of "five star" reviews across the board.

Describe your "style" of wedding photography.

I began my career as a photojournalist. Stylistically speaking, I have remained very close to my roots, though I also really enjoy using creative lighting, angles, and composition to subtly enhance the natural drama of my images. In the end, there's almost nothing I enjoy more than telling a true story by capturing a series of sincere emotional moments.

What's the typical wedding coverage package that you offer? What is the price?

When it comes to weddings, I strongly prefer work by the day instead of by the hour, because it lets me keep the focus where it belongs - on you, your spouse, and your wedding day. For example, there are no charges for "additional hours," because the concept doesn’t apply - I'll be there just as long as you want me. There are no required purchases or add ons - you get high resolution, unwatermarked copies of your pictures, and a document that authorizes you to print them wherever and however you'd like. I am 100% transparent with my pricing. No gimmicks. No upselling. No unnecessary complications. No nasty surprises.

Full day pricing starts at $1500

Is there anything else you'd like to share about yourself?

Hello! My name is Willow Haley, and I'm a thirty-five year old photographer who, despite being a relatively recent transplant, is completely and utterly in love with New Orleans. I share half of a double shotgun house with my husband, my massive stacks of camera gear, and the world's most neurotic cat. When I'm not shooting weddings and events you can usually find me reading, freelancing, wandering the streets and music venues of NOLA with my camera, or enjoying just about anything covered in cheese.